Sioned Williams speaks about scaling back financial support
THROUGHOUT the pandemic both Welsh and UK governments have offered unprecedented levels of financial support to individuals, business owners and families who have desperately needed it. From the furlough scheme and Universal Credit uplift to the Economic Resilience Fund and Discretionary Assistance Fund, support has been made available to help those through these difficult times.
But now with furlough ending, household bills rising and Universal Credit being cut by £20 a week, thousands of families are at risk of having the safety net removed at a time when they can least afford it. It has been estimated by the Bevan Foundation that the universal credit changes may could impact over 13,000 people in Bridgend and surrounding communities, taking millions of pounds annually out of their pockets and our local economy.
Now is not the right time to start cutting back support and I am calling upon the Welsh Government to think again about its plans to scale back the Discretionary Assistance Fund they have used to support struggling families during Covid-19.
The Welsh Government’s Discretionary Assistance Fund (DAF) has provided small cash grants for essential living costs and support to allow people to live independently. At the start of the pandemic the scheme was changed to allow more people to claim financial support if they needed support due to the restrictions or the need to self-isolate.
I have no problem giving credit to the Welsh Government for investing additional money into this and others support schemes, and for the changes they made to eligibility that has allowed more people to get help when they need it. However, I am deeply concerned that the removal of this additional flexibility, coming at a time when the UK Government in Westminster is also cutting support, will push more people in our communities into financial insecurity and poverty.
Even before the pandemic far too many in our communities were struggling on low and stagnant incomes while prices, bills and council tax charges increased. The Welsh Government have a duty to continue the additional flexibility to accessing the DAF beyond the end of September to ensure that those who need this support are able to access it.
If you have concerns regarding some of the above changes or want to know who to speak to get support, contact me on sioned.a.williams@senedd.wales.